Logo

Why do Americans and foreigners alike describe the USA as prudish? Why do I see nothing prudish about the USA society? USA feels like one of the loosest countries although Americans claim to be very reserved.

11.06.2025 00:05

Why do Americans and foreigners alike describe the USA as prudish? Why do I see nothing prudish about the USA society? USA feels like one of the loosest countries although Americans claim to be very reserved.

any profanity to the Christian religion, e.g. hell, damn, God (unless used in a holy sense), or ridicule of the clergy.

couples in the same bed, even if married. (Laurel and Hardy came before the code)

lustful kissing is to be shown with care

My scammer is blackmailing me. If I don't pay 300 euros, he will send my intimate photos to my relatives. What should I do?

nudity, or even suggestions of it (e.g. a silhouette)

the display of bellybuttons

Meanwhile, the rest of the world still sniggers at American prudishness.

Deportees are being held in a converted shipping container in Djibouti, ICE says - NPR

sexual perversion, including homosexuality (naturally), and sexual relationships between the white and black races.

Some ridiculous highlights of the code in effect banned or discouraged:

For 34 years, movie and TV studios censored themselves to appease the Puritanical whims of Will Hays.

New theory could finally make ‘quantum gravity’ a reality – and prove Einstein wrong - BBC Science Focus Magazine

Remember the Hays Code?

toilets being shown

disrespect of authority figures. Crooked judges are OK if they are also clearly portrayed as evil people

Wall Street warns Trump aides the GOP tax bill could jolt bond markets - The Washington Post

The ridiculous 2004 Superbowl ‘Nipplegate’ was a more recent reminder of how US attitudes have not really advanced much since the Hays code.